These exoskeletons can help prevent worker injury

Exoskeletons have been around for decades, both in real life and in science fiction. But the latest wave of exoskeletons are advanced enough that they’re being tested in automobile factories, with the hopes of preventing injury, and can even allow paralyzed people to walk. In the Emmy Award winning season 2 finale of Next Level, Lauren Goode reports from a Ford factory in Michigan where they are beta-testing an exoskeleton vest on one select employees to reduce workplace injuries. Subscribe: goo.gl/G5RXGs
Showrunner: Lauren Goode
Director/Editor: Vjeran Pavic
Camera: Tyler Pina, Christian Mazza, Will Orantes
Sound Recording: Paul Dorough
Director of Audience Development: Ruben Salvadori
Producers: Bethany Scully, Felicia Shivakumar
Supervising Producer: Sophie Erickson
Supervising Director: Tom Connors
Executive Producer: Nilay Patel
Art Director: William Joel
Graphics: Garret Beard
Sound Design: Andrew Marino
Check out our full video catalog: goo.gl/lfcGfq
Visit our playlists: goo.gl/94XbKx
Like The Verge on Facebook: goo.gl/2P1aGc
Follow on Twitter: goo.gl/XTWX61
Follow on Instagram: goo.gl/7ZeLvX
Read More: www.theverge.com

[@Ryukachoo]

Exosuits would be fantastic ways for the elderly to get mobility and avoid the need for nursing homes, but of course there'd have to be a lot of safety systems in place

[@Teekles]

Ekso has a patent for putting airbags into their exoskeletons that automatically deploy in the event of a fall.

[@BrokenSymetry]

The guy in the end said it well, making this tech affordable for regular use is an engineering challenge in itself.

[@rich1051414]

It doesn't help the number one reason the elderly are recommended for nursing homes, mental degradation.

[@Schradermusic]

Like a systems that walks them back home? Nothing will kill elderly homes unfortunately. Unless we kill dementia, of course.

[@NightmareFuelsYou]

Braden Similar situation with my mom. Am excited for futute these cheap readily available

[@akki015]

That crotch grabbing exoskeleton is funny as hell.

[@alia.4524]

6:41 for those curious

[@CitarNosis317]

An exoskeleton made in Hollywood lol.

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

I heard Trump has one.

[@TiMonsor]

it was sued for harassment, he is serving his sentence

[@nicktorea4017]

"companies like Panasonic, Honda & Cyberdyne" keep a close eye on that last one especially if they come out with a product called Skynet.

[@AshleyBlackwater]

I do work as a concept artist and have a bunch of their stuff as reference images, never realised they where a real company, genuinely thought it was set photos from the movie or something

[@nocturnal7345]

@@AshleyBlackwater They company name was inspired from the movie but no, the Cyberdyne you're talking about is still fictional, well, at least for now.

[@Wildboy789789]

Dont worry, Ekso is the winner in the space

[@MikeTrieu]

Yes, screw military and industrial. The public restroom hover squat is the killer app here.

[@manictiger]

Put hover boots on it so you don't have to step in the pee that's all over the ground.

[@JonesNoahT]

According to a study done in 1995, the average cost of a rotator-cuff injury was about $50,000 in medical treatment and about 11 months of rehabilitation [1]. $6,500 is nothing. 1. Savoie, F., Field, L., Jenkins - : The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related, R., & 1995. (n.d.). Costs analysis of successful rotator cuff repair surgery: an outcome study. Comparison of gatekeeper system in surgical patients. Elsevier. Retrieved from www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0749806395901078

[@Durrpadil]

* Has Alien 2 flashbacks *

[@KeithMoon1980]

Alien 2? Really? You mean Aliens?

[@Durrpadil]

Keith Moon No what I really mean is 👽 2 aka AlienZ2.0 aka Alienzeseses. The 3rd.

[@OnlyMon0]

Reminds me of Elysium

[@thomasthomaslai]

yeah, i thought Matt Damon was gonna jump in anytime

[@alexhein1738]

That was a good movie

[@cactustweeter2890]

As someone with physical disabilities I'm excited about where this technology could be applied to better one's life.

[@jesusisalive3227]

I'm with you! I've had 3 back surgeries its really effected my life! I'd try one of these in a heartbeat!

[@joshuatatro4503]

Just wanted to say that this series has been one of my favorite series on the Verge's channel - Lauren does a particularly good job mixing the presentation of the tech itself with potential impact going forward, which makes it more than just a "look at this cool thing" expose and instead a real interest piece. Keep it up!

[@hoppysport2872]

So informative, well-produced and hosted. I saw this three days after installing a new ceiling fan in my Manhattan apartment. The ceiling is hard concrete and I needed two concrete drill bits to drill three holes. Boy were my shoulders burning! When I saw the Ford technician working, I equated it to the motion and positioning of my ceiling fan installation. It will be exciting to see this tech mature and priced for everyday consumption and activities.

[@avicohen2k]

This feels lacking.. I would have liked more demonstration of usage and hearing Lauren's feedback while using how it works and feels..

[@DAAI741]

This is the kind of innovation that the people need. This is what pushes humanity forward.

[@NWforager]

this is 10000s of times cheaper than Robots . Think heavy duty jobs being done by elderly ,weakling for minimum wage . Or even the execs doing the labor jobs in a few minutes . You think they are going to spend billions of refitting the workplace for Robots ? um ..Hell No . Not for many years . These suits don't even need batteries , just spring assists . Less insurance coverage , less injuries , less fatigue . No Brainer .

[@izybit]

Robots work for free and don't take any breaks.

[@NWforager]

So do cars . In the meantime cyborgs are a far more efficient use of company dollars .You have to understand 'Initial investment' . Not to mention R&D . There aren't yet robots that can do generalized work like humans . They have to be designed for specific purpose$ . Robots don't need money like Us or breaks , they just cost a bunch and break down sometime =) Until we have dirt cheap robots to repair those robots for dirt cheap an hourly wage is the way to go

[@DAAI741]

NWforager I $ee what you did there

[@manictiger]

People like you will do anything to keep a dying plutocracy alive. Face it, a new system is coming and it won't involve wage slavery. Money will become useless and wealth will over-saturate the planet so much that it will be impossible to hoard.

[@NWforager]

@manictiger . in the near future the wage game will remain . Besides you don't know what people like me want .

[@misterosc]

1:08 Tom Hanks is clearly dubbing that guy

[@dennisrose40]

Kudos for these high quality “interview and do” videos

[@peepopalaber]

"people working into there sixties" wtf ... germany : "75"

[@anthonydentice8180]

Even australia is over 60

[@thegametesterman]

This was one of your best videos in a while, very interesting and it kept my attention the whole way through. Great video.

[@Bummer1980]

This is amazing! I have a condition called Elhers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS for short) which in a nut shell means that my body produces faulty collegian. Collegian makes up all your soft tissues; aka: your joints. Which means my joints over stretch and can tear. As of now I’m 37 yrs old. My spine & hips are effected the most. My low back is effected the most, which also really impacts my legs as nerves are being pinched and it causes severe debilitating pain. My hips are torn and also have severe pain. By age 23 I’d already had 4 knee surgeries and my knees still suck. I have wide spread pain in all my joints, from my fingers to my feet. I can still stand and walk, but the pain makes it unbearable at time. I can not walk more than from my front door to my drive way, the pain just makes it impossible. These types of machines would make it possible for others like me (it’s a rare disease but I’ve found that there are many others like me) to do normal daily activities with our larger joints like walking or bending over with out ripping our joints. These advances could allow our muscles to relax and not hurt so much. My muscles work double time to hold my body together and do their “traditional” function, which causes a lot of extra pain. I hope some day soon that these devices will be made accessible to the main stream medical community for patients.

[@afroplasm5956]

So when's a full suit of power armor gonna hit the market?

[@TrickWithAKnife]

It would be wonderful if exoskeletons could be subsidized by healthcare services or insurance providers for people in high risk situations. In the long run they could not only save money by avoiding costly injuries, but mass production would allow the costs to be reduced, and of course allowing people to live healthier lives.

[@ohbananasnblow]

Wow. I need one of those leg exoskeletons for when I'm tying rebar on the job.

[@comingviking]

Loved the video. It reminds me of a discussion I had a few years back regarding the development of exoskeletons for the military. A lot of people hated it back then, but I foresaw that the technology would eventually find civilian applications and here we are: Exoskeletons to prevent work related injuries and exoskeletons for the elderly and infirm. i hope this industry will thrive.

[@matthewrickard7609]

I truly believe in this tech. I know that its not there yet, but really excited for the future.

[@blaht15]

It is already there... What are you talking about

[@roycastanon5754]

Bartek You’re insufferable you know that Bartek

[@Skinnymarks]

This is such an early stage. If a mass market model is possible it will be 3 generations before the majority has access to it. This is one of those fields where a follow up in 5 years to match current ideas with what they have been able to achieve would be fascinating

[@psycho0815]

When I was a kid stuff like that was scifi. I mean we had no internet, no talking phones, no vr and no self driving cars. Amazing how far science got in the last 20 years.

[@Chriswoodworker]

I've had a Dislocated shoulder now for 12 years. Been told it will never go back into the socket and stay there. Something like this would be a dream come true.

[@JohnSmith-nh3bc]

WE WANT FULL BODY, FORD INDUSTRIES! NOT JUST THE UPPERS! AND UNIT COSTS!!!

[@carbonfibercreationswashin7213]

This is a very cool and most useful technology. I have done manual labor of constant lifting and walking. This is the future of what companies need to embrace to reduce worker fatigue, injuries, and maximize your employees abilities.

[@ByeonghoonYoo]

This is absolutely amazing. Yes, robots will replace many of these jobs but we're still far away. As of now, the exoskeletons, I believe, are definitely the future.

[@justinsander7654]

As a veteran with a back injury I have contemplated getting one of the full suits for every day use only because the medical model will not support my shoulders. The price is steep and to be honest I am probably gonna have come out of pocket for it. However, totally worth it to be able to do household stuff again and relieve some of the pressure off my wife.

[@mvvkiran]

Now this is what the future is supposed to be. Not back to the future but realistic and realizable and supposed to make our life easier but not lazy..

[@ManpreetSinghBrar]

She says, "Speak for yourself" and went back to doing whatever, no expressions LOL Now I know why people think I hate them!

[@Imperatorumgladio]

We need to go back, we all know where this leads. Creo won't stop at nothing.

[@JacopoMoruzzi]

Lauren is amazing.

[@southsideman4891]

Shes hott

[@AlmaWells]

Loved the ending... when using the toilet... "no need to touch the seat"

[@stevenbaumann8692]

I can’t stop picturing Ripley at the end of Aliens.

[@indravargas1388]

This is amazing! Thank you for the video.

[@gardnerjp1]

This is awesome! I went on a tour of the Audi plant in Gyor, Hungary as a kid. There was a guy who's job was to lift engine blocks off one assembly line and transfer them to another. That job has likely been automated; but this would make it a lot easier. (That dude was huge btw)

[@anhvu4211]

That guy obviously gonna say good thing since he doesn't wanna lose his job at ford... its hard to find a decent pay job but that thing that he wear help him with his arm but I'm sure its heavy and hard on his legs

[@mfarrell123456]

I want one for hiking. I miss niking in the mountains and out away from people. My chronic back pain has made it difficult to do the things I love. If I had the ability to walk up hill for long distances, I would be a happier person. A backpack that made you lighter than not having it on would be great.

[@barriewright2857]

They are going to save a lot of people from RSI "Repetitive strain injury " and help the disabled know this is the write application of automation to help ! instead of creating robot machines for war .

[@user-xi4jn8xh4l]

The companies will use this to their advantage and push the worker even harder than they physically could do before the exo.

[@jesusisalive3227]

I have had 3 back surgeries. I want one of these!

[@AldrickExGladius]

remember that game The Surge?

[@icebread9335]

Next year, I will show my prototype to the public, for only about 700€ it is a exo s. Planned for the everyday use, and for both, working and your life. I am hoping with the money to get more and more features as the financial background grows. Planned is to monitor your health, and make recommendations, or make a complete profile for your doctor, but one thing after another

[@irfanspace]

this is awesome , really great and salute to ford to implementing this ..

[@Callzium]

But the thing is if you're getting help lifting or walking your muscles will adapt to having the help it has so when you take it off you're weak. Thats why i think its important to acknowledge that your body likes shortcuts and so does your mind but they can have a negative effect on you in the future, dont get me wrong if you have a handicap or you're disabled in some way having these devices in imperative but all im saying is when you dont need them for an everyday task that will happen

[@pheenix42]

Would love to try one of these myself. Just got an assembly job and I know I'm going to feel it a few times.

[@FerrydeManLapidothjr]

Somting for Scaffolding?

[@brendanbellingham8934]

This will be effective in the short term but machines and robots will make these types of jobs obsolete quite soon I believe

[@Kinos141]

It's nice to see some applied technology instead of concepts/theorems.

[@AckzaTV]

he plays with his grand kids in the exoskelaton? robotgrandpa is best grandpa

[@ashloco100]

Road to COD Advanced Warfare

[@jamesinator100]

More like Elysium.

[@fernandobernal6506]

full of nasty gadgets to kill people

[@dougdiplacido2406]

Amazing device.

[@MangoMotors]

Oooh, i'm excited to see people competing in sports wearing exoskeletons.

[@martinhubinette2254]

MangoMotors Maybe it is more like car racing where manufacturers compete in endurance racing etc.

[@tang2667]

You need to make the track 10* longer.

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

Marty,....anyone who has to lift or raise one's shoulder girdle....thousands of times a day....is called a "slave,...not an employee". Period.

[@rociojuarez4258]

Omg, this amazing. I'm so excited to learn more about exoskeletons.

[@NWforager]

a big use for these will likely be recreational or even transportation . I see loads of people in my town riding electric bikes suddenly for commuting and for exercise and leisure . Even hunting . Bionic legs would get lots of disabled And abled bodies out of the house and bring the price down . Leave it to the medical insurance industry and military to keep prices $ky High . I mean a Cpap machine costs 2 grand easy ,while a xbox cost a couple hundred bucks . wth ?

[@IamMathenge]

very comprehensive

[@Joe-jh8po]

so how do the suits without electronics work? Are they still electrical in nature, just missing some chips or processors? I don't get "suits without electronics"

[@DejaVu8]

could you list the different exoskeletons that you reviewed please?

[@LaneGandy]

Awesome episode!

[@dwilson6769]

How about the low back constantly standing jobs.

[@jesusulissespoot4931]

But can I jump across platforms like in BO3?

[@rabbitpiet7182]

Jesus,Ulisses Poot not yet

[@yungsenpai4370]

They actually lost there limbs

[@overusedcondom581]

They don't use exoskeletons...

[@gamingFTWchannel]

ekso is going to be big very soon

[@Chris-yy7qc]

Exoskeletons are nice, but they only make sense if they are stronger than you. But thats a problem, because there is always a software behind it and if that software goes nuts, the exeskel could break your arm, leg or even kill you by executing wrong movements.

[@ZorroNebula_Gaming]

Are there any currently available suits you can buy?

[@fandju111]

*wait till PornHub hears about this...*

[@paulruprai1274]

,Robots should work for us because they are machines created by mam not the other way round ....the elite are treating us like robots enhanced by these machines ....we should get all the money divided equally with all the workers including the managers NOT JUST THE SO CALLED LEADERS OF INDUSTRY.... THEY ARE LEADING TO HELL ON EARTH !!!!!!

[@UkiMalefu]

work? health? saving the world? HA! we want Iron Man suits just for FUN. Ok, the other things are fine too, I guess.

[@dandcc9192]

Also exo-zombies, obviously

[@samushunter0048]

Deus Ex comes to life.

[@arko109ru]

I never asked for this

[@tsukatski._.1065]

This is One way of workers who are trying to keep their job from upcoming robots

[@microbroadcast]

Can you let me know about the production gear you use to shoot these episodes? Looks like 2 or 3 Canon 1DXs (Mark 2s), maybe 70-200mm lenses? Can’t quite figure out the lighting setup, but maybe 3 Fiilex lights? Images look really good. Also how many in your crew? Thanks!

[@walkinmn]

I love Next Level but you should make it longer, i always feel that the episode is in a rush. How about if you experiment with 5 and 10 minutes more?

[@PS2MGS]

disagree, i'd never watch it if it were 15-20 min. current format is perfect.

[@walkinmn]

PS2MGS yeah, that's the problem, the KZbin crowd prefers small capsules of content and that's just how it is. I guess a way to go around that is making it a two part episodes.

[@firelive565]

They should issue these exo skeletons to the militaries

[@yahinkie9532]

Oh god, I never thought I would want to be a factory worker...

[@tinacollins943]

Exo skeletons how much are the leg ones please

[@tinacollins943]

I broke my back my legs give way and I fall which one is more suited please reply

[@raptorswire3128]

I need this....don't know why yet

[@NightmareFuelsYou]

This would have prevented my mother's back injury that she got on the job some years ago.

[@v12ts.gaming]

Hope the exosuits can be used for military use, so it will be like COD Advanced Warfare...

[@katerwhall1865]

In 10 years when these become cheaper and more mass appeal I want one.

[@ImadZeryouh]

Does ford exo skeleton uses power or hydraulics? I am designing something on my own and I could use some insight. If anyone knows and read this please share with me. I wanna know how it works technically.

[@tinacollins943]

Do you do legs one

[@jatigre1]

Instead of batteries they have to focus on wireless charging through the feet using induction coils in the shoe soles and on the floor. I've been saying that for years.

[@alexhein1738]

It’s like that movie elysium

[@windwalkerrangel1081]

The future will actually be smart skins, that can tighten and harden around the user giving not only extreme flexibility but also strength thru support mimicking the outer shell of most insects like ants and beetles.

[@BusyBasaz]

I need this for gaming to reduce the wear on my joints.

[@addido1242]

This is giving me advanced warfare flashbacks

[@enriquerua7918]

In spanish.please

[@tigeroil6768]

Modular and lightweight? Sounds like those bulky suits Tony Stark wears

[@pashutaz]

Surge ?

[@MrPeterDawes]

Should rotate cars around so you're not working with it over head, or use robots to do all the work and pay those displaced by them universal income. The worker can spend all day with his grand kids then and enjoy life.

[@Jafmanz]

Why not simply move the 180 degree movement into a 90 degree one where the worker is laying down fully supported. I saw it on a film once... 3 points if you get which one ;)

[@openyoureyes3308]

This is why our bodies shrink and look gray in the future

[@trentdevlaminck9927]

Dual flex rotors on the shoulders and lats huh? You're on

[@rasmus6721]

Finally something I want !

[@artemkras]

Put a cosy sofa under me, that would surely prevent any worker injury

[@digitalmynd]

HOW STRONG IS THAT EXOSKELETON OF YOURS?!

[@huzaifahahmed2866]

If the vest has no electronics, how does it work?

[@ZeroTwo-gd5nq]

Powered clothing + Exoskeleton?